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What a difference a few years make. In 2006 we were impressed to see laptops under $900. Last year, we were impressed to see them under $600. This year the price drops even farther: devices under $300 and if rumors prove true, one may even be under $100.

The new classes of laptops, nicknamed ‘Netbooks’ for their ultra-portable design, have been popping up on store shelves since the beginning of the year. Primarily used for internet services like web browsing, e-mail, and instant messaging, they’re also suitable for running office and educational software. They’re smaller and lighter than their larger cousins though not quite as feature rich.

Most have smaller storage capacity and slower processors and may not run all the latest software. On the plus side, many contain new solid state technology which reduces weight, improves battery life, and reliability since there are fewer moving parts.

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3G Acer Aspire for $99These days most people wouldn't think of buying a new phone without getting a couple hundies off in exchange for their wireless free will. But netbooks? Internationally such deals aren't altogether uncommon, but we haven't seen one here yet. That changes next week if the above image turns out to be legit (and we kinda think it is), with Radio Shack set to offer an Acer Aspire One for just $99 so long as you sign up for a $60/month (or more) data plan through AT&T. (If you squint you can see it's a rather less enticing $499 without.) That comes to something north of $1,500 over the life of the contract, which is hardly a steal -- but then again your average sub-$200 smartphone doesn't seem like such a bargain after two years of $35/month, either. (Courtesy Gizmodo.com)